History in the Bible 3.25 Remaking Paul II: Luther and Beyond
Feb 26, 2023
Discover how Irenaeus rescued Paul's letters, leading to their respect in Christian history. Explore Martin Luther's dramatic reinterpretation, which sparked the Protestant movement. Learn about the Acts of Paul and how scholars pieced together manuscript fragments. Dive into Paul's views on women's leadership and the stark contrast with later pastoral letters. Unpack the New Perspective on Paul, critiquing Luther's stance and examining first-century Judaism's influence. Finally, assess Paul's undeniable impact on the spread of Christianity.
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Stichometry Reveals Lost Acts Of Paul
- The Codex Claromontanus contains a stichometry listing the Acts of Paul at about 3,600 lines, showing it was once a major early Christian work.
- Surviving fragments total ~2,000 lines, so scholars estimate we've recovered roughly half of the original Acts of Paul.
Thecla Became A Widely Venerated Leader
- The Acts of Paul elevated Thecla into one of early Christianity's most venerated non-divine figures with widespread devotion and shrines.
- Her story echoes themes in Paul's authentic letters about women taking public, leadership roles in early Christian communities.
Paul's Letters Support Early Female Leadership
- Paul's six authentic letters depict women as respected leaders who could preach, baptize, and teach, challenging contemporary Roman and Jewish gender norms.
- Later pastoral letters reverse this trend, restricting women's roles and reflecting shifting church power dynamics.
